FAST TRANSPORTABLE DRILLING RIG SYSTEM

• US 20120167485A1
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: T&T Engineering Services, Inc. (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Trevithick, Mark W., Orgeron, Keith J., Jamison, Darrell E., Rodriguez, Gus E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,027,287 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/112
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/187 with hinged sections
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/345 Arrangements for tilting up whole structures or sections thereof E04H12/347 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 15/00 Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts

Abstract

The present invention discloses a high-capacity drilling rig system that includes novel design features that alone and more particularly in combination facilitate a fast rig-up and rig-down with a single set of raising cylinders and maintains transportability features. In particular, a transport trailer is disclosed having a first support member and a drive member which align the lower mast portion with inclined rig floor ramps and translate the lower mast legs up the ramps and into alignment for connection. A pair of wing brackets is pivotally deployed from within the lower mast width for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the mast from a horizontal position into a vertical position. A cantilever is pivotally deployed from beneath the rig floor to a position above it for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the substructure from a collapsed position into the erect position.

Claims

1. A drilling rig assembly comprising:

a collapsible substructure movable between stowed and deployed positions, the collapsible substructure comprising a base box, a drill floor framework, and a drill floor;

a mast, the mast having a lower mast section being pivotally connectable to the drill floor and being movable between a lowered position and a raised position;

a raising cylinder having a lower end pivotally connected at one end to the base box and having an opposite articulating end, and being selectively extendable relative to the pivotal connection at the base box;

a pair of wing brackets movably connected to the lower mast section;

the wing brackets being movable between a stowed position generally within a width of the lower mast section, and a deployed position extending beyond the width of the lower mast section; and

,

the wing bracket being connectable to the articulating end of the raising cylinder when the wing bracket is in the deployed position, such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the mast from the lowered position to the raised position;

a cantilever having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end being pivotally connected to the drill floor framework, the upper end movable between a stowed position below the drill floor and a deployed position above the drill floor; and

,

the upper end of the cantilever being connectable to the articulating end of the raising cylinder when the cantilever is in the deployed position, such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the substructure into the deployed position;

2. A drilling mast transport skid comprising:

a frame positionable on a transport trailer;

a forward hydraulically actuated slider and a rear hydraulically actuated slider, located on the frame;

the sliders independently movable in substantially perpendicular relationship to the frame;

a vertically extendable elevator attached to the rear slider;

a carriage movably located between the frame and the forward slider for translating the forward slider along the length of the frame; and

,

wherein a mast section of a drilling rig may be positioned on the sliders, such that controlled movement of the sliders, the elevator and the carriage can be used to position the mast section for connection to another structure.

3. The drilling mast transport skid according to claim 2, further comprising:

a slide pad located on an upper surface of at least one of the sliders; and

,

the slide pad permitting relative movement between the mast section and the slider when articulating the slider.

4. The drilling mast transport skid according to claim 2, further comprising:

a vertically extendable elevator attached to each side of the rearward slider; and

,

each elevator being independently movable between a raised and lowered position.

5. The drilling mast transport skid according to claim 2, further comprising:

a roller set between the carriage and the frame to provide a rolling relationship between the carriage and the frame;

a motor connected to the carriage;

a pinion gear connected to the motor;

a rack gear mounted lengthwise on the frame, the rack gear engaging the pinion gear; and

,

wherein operation of the motor causes movement of the forward slider lengthwise along the frame.

6. A drilling rig, comprising:

a collapsible substructure including;

a base box;

a drill floor; and

a pair of raising cylinders pivotally connected at one end to the base box and having an opposite articulating end;

the raising cylinders being selectively extendable relative to the pivotal connection at the base box;

a mast, the mast having a lower mast section comprising;

a mast framework comprising a plurality of cross-members, the mast framework defining a transportable width of the lower mast section;

a plurality of legs, having an upper end attached to the mast framework, and an opposite lower end;

a connection on the lower end of at least two legs for pivotally connecting the lower mast section to the drill floor;

a pair of wing brackets movably secured to the lower mast section;

the wing brackets being movable between a stowed position generally within the width of the lower mast section, and a deployed position extending beyond the width of the lower mast section; and

,

the raising cylinders connectable to the wing brackets and extendable to rotate the lower mast section from a generally horizontal position to a raised position above the drill floor.

7. The drilling rig according to claim 6, each wing brackets being pivotally connected to the lower mast section.

8. The drilling rig according to claim 6, each wing bracket further comprising:

a frame;

a pair of frame sockets on opposite ends of the frame;

the frame sockets pivotally connecting the frame to the lower mast section; and

,

the wing brackets pivoting to fit substantially within a portal in lower mast section in the stowed position.

9. The drilling rig according to claim 7, further comprising:

the pivotal connection of the wing brackets to the lower mast section defining a pivot axis of the wing bracket about which the wing bracket is deployed and stowed;

the pivotal connection between the lower mast section legs and the drill floor defining a pivot axis of the mast; and

,

the pivot axis of the wing bracket being substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis of the mast.

10. The drilling rig according to claim 6, each wing bracket further comprising:

a frame;

an arm extending from the frame towards the interior of the lower mast section;

an arm socket located on an end of the arm opposite to the frame; and

,

a bracket locking pin attached to the lower mast section and extendable through the arm socket to lock the wing bracket in the deployed position.

11. The drilling rig according to claim 6, each wing bracket further comprising:

a frame;

a lug box attached to the frame;

the lug box receivable of the articulating end of the raising cylinder;

a lug socket located on the lug box; and

,

a raising cylinder lock pin extendable through the articulating end of the raising cylinder and the lug socket to lock the raising cylinder in pivotal engagement with the wing bracket.

12. The drilling rig according to claim 10, each wing bracket further comprising:

a wing cylinder attached between the interior of the lower mast section and the arm of the wing bracket; and

,

wherein actuation of the wing cylinder moves the wing bracket between the deployed and stowed positions.

13. A drilling rig assembly comprising:

a collapsible substructure movable between stowed and deployed positions, the collapsible substructure including;

a base box;

a drill floor; and

a plurality of legs having ends pivotally connected between the base box and the drill floor, the legs supporting the drill floor above the base box in the deployed position;

a raising cylinder having a lower end pivotally connected at one end to the base box and having an opposite articulating end;

the raising cylinder being selectively extendable relative to the pivotal connection at the base box;

a cantilever having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end being pivotally connected to the drill floor framework, the upper end movable between a stowed position below the drill floor and a deployed position above the drill floor; and

,

the upper end of the cantilever being connectable to the articulating end of the raising cylinder when the cantilever is in the deployed position, such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the substructure into the deployed position.

14. The drilling rig according to claim 13, further comprising:

wherein the raising cylinder can be selectively connected to a lower section of a drilling mast that is pivotally connected to the drill floor framework such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the lower mast section from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position above the drill floor.

15. The drilling rig assembly according to claim 14, further comprising:

the mast having front legs and rear legs;

the front legs connectable to front leg shoes located on the drill floor;

the rear legs connectable to rear leg shoes located on the drill floor;

the lower end of the raising cylinder being pivotally connected to the base box at a location beneath and between the front leg shoes and the rear leg shoes of the drill floor of the erected substructure, and,

the lower end of the cantilever being pivotally connected to the drill floor framework at a location beneath the drilling floor and forward of the front leg shoes.

16. The drilling rig according to claim 13, further comprising:

a cantilever cylinder pivotally connected at one end to the drill floor framework and having an opposite end pivotally connected to the cantilever, being selectively extendable relative to pivotal connection at the drill floor framework; and

,

wherein extension of the cantilever cylinder rotates the cantilever from the stowed position below the drill floor to the deployed position above the drill floor, and wherein retraction of the cantilever cylinder retracts the cantilever from the deployed position above the drill floor to the stowed position below the drill floor.

17. The drilling rig according to claim 13, further comprising:

the substructure including a box beam extended horizontally beneath the drill floor;

a beam brace affixed to the box beam; and

,

the cantilever engaging the beam brace upon rotation of the cantilever into the fully deployed position;

wherein extension of the raising cylinder transfers the lifting force for deployment of the substructure to the box beam through the cantilever and beam brace.

18. The drilling rig according to claim 17, the cantilever further comprising:

a load plate, the load plate engaging the box beam when the cantilever is in the deployed position.

19. The drilling rig according to claim 13, further comprising:

connection of the upper end of the cantilever to the articulating end of the raising cylinder forms an angle between the cantilever and the raising cylinder of between 70 and 100 degrees; and

,

wherein extension of the raising cylinder to deploy the substructure reduces the angle between the cantilever and the raising cylinder to between 5 and 35 degrees.

20. The drilling rig according to claim 13, further comprising:

an opening in the drill floor, the opening being sufficiently large to permit passage of the cantilever as it moves between the stowed and deployed positions; and

,

a backer panel attached to the cantilever, the backer panel sized for complementary fit into the opening of the drill floor when the cantilever is in the stowed position.

21. A drilling rig assembly comprising:

a collapsible substructure movable between stowed and deployed positions, the collapsible substructure including;

a base box;

a drill floor framework;

a drill floor above the drill floor framework; and

a plurality of legs having ends pivotally connected to the base box and drill floor framework, the legs supporting the drill floor above the base box in the deployed position;

a mast having a lower mast section pivotally connected above the drill floor, and movable between a generally horizontal position to a position above the drill floor;

a cantilever having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end being pivotally connected to the drill floor framework, the upper end movable between a stowed position below the drill floor and a deployed position above the drill floor;

a raising cylinder pivotally connected at one end to the base box and having an opposite articulating end;

the raising cylinder being selectively extendable relative to the pivotal connection at the base box;

the articulating end of the raising cylinder connectable to the mast such that extension of the raising cylinder moves the mast from a generally horizontal position above the drill floor to a generally vertical position above the drill floor; and

,

the articulating end of the raising cylinder connectable to the upper end of the cantilever such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the drilling substructure into the deployed position.

22. The drilling rig according to claim 21, further comprising:

wherein the raising cylinder can be selectively connected to a lower mast section of a drilling mast that is pivotally connected above the drill floor such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the lower mast section from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position above the drill floor.

23. The drilling rig according to claim 21, further comprising:

a pair of wing brackets pivotally attached to the lower mast section and capable of attachment to the raising cylinder; and

,

wherein the raising cylinder may be connected to the wing brackets and extended to rotate the lower mast section from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position above the drill floor.

25. The drilling rig according to claim 21, further comprising:

a pair of wing brackets pivotally attached to the lower mast section and capable of attachment to the raising cylinder; and

,

wherein the raising cylinder may be connected to the wing brackets and extended to rotate the lower mast section from a generally horizontal position to a position above the drill floor that is within at least 50 degrees of vertical.

24. The drilling rig according to claim 2323, further comprising:

the wing brackets being pivotal between a deployed position and a stowed position;

a socket located on each bracket, the socket being connectable to the raising cylinder;

the wing brackets in the stowed position being contained within a width of the lower mast section; and

,

the wing brackets in the deployed position extend beyond the width of the lower mast such that the sockets are in alignment with the articulating end of the raising cylinder.

26. A drilling rig assembly comprising:

a raising cylinder having a first angular position for connection to a deployable wing bracket connected to a mast section;

the raising cylinder having a second angular position for detachment from the deployable wing bracket at the conclusion of raising a mast into the vertical position;

the raising cylinder having a third angular position for connection to a retractable cantilever connected to a substructure in a stowed position;

the raising cylinder having a fourth angular position for detachment of the raising cylinder from the retractable cantilever at the conclusion of raising the substructure into the vertical position;

the first angular position being within 10 degrees of the fourth angular position; and

,

the second angular position being within 10 degrees of the third angular position.

27. The drilling rig assembly according to claim 26, further comprising:

the raising cylinder having a pivotally connected end about which it rotates, and an articulating end for connection to the deployable wing bracket and the retractable cantilever;

the articulating end of the raising cylinder forming a first lifting arc between the first angular position and the second angular position;

the articulating end of the raising cylinder forming a second lifting arc between the first angular position and the second angular position; and

,

the first and second lifting arcs intersecting substantially above the pivotally connected end of the raising cylinder.

28. The drilling rig assembly according to claim 26, further comprising:

the raising cylinder rotating in a first rotational direction while raising the mast section; and

,

the raising cylinder rotating in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction while raising the substructure.

29. The drilling rig assembly according to claim 26, further comprising:

the raising cylinder being a multi-stage cylinder having a maximum of three stages.

30. The drilling rig assembly according to claim 26, further comprising:

the wing bracket being deployed about a first pivot axis; and

,

the cantilever being deployed about a second pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis.

31. A drilling rig assembly comprising:

a collapsible substructure movable between stowed and deployed positions, the collapsible substructure comprising;

a base box;

a drill floor framework;

a drill floor above the drill floor framework; and

,

a plurality of substructure legs having ends pivotally connected to the base box and the drill floor, the legs supporting the drill floor above the base box in the deployed position;

a lower mast section of a drilling mast;

a lower section framework having a plurality of cross-members defining a transportable width of the lower section;

a plurality of legs pivotally connected to the lower section framework for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position;

a connection provided on the lower end of at least two legs for pivotally connecting the lower mast section to the drill floor;

a raising cylinder pivotally connected at one end to the base box and having an opposite articulating end;

the raising cylinder selectively extendable relative to the pivotal connection at the base box;

a wing bracket pivotally connected to the lower mast section, being movable between a stowed position and a deployed position; and

,

the wing bracket being connectable to the articulating end of the raising cylinder when the cantilever is in the deployed position, such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the lower mast section into a generally vertical position above the drill floor.

32. The drilling rig according to claim 31, further comprising:

the legs being movable between a stowed position within the transport width and deployed position external of the transport width; and

,

the wing brackets being movable between a stowed position within the transport width and deployed position external of the transport width.

33. The drilling rig according to claim 31, further comprising:

the legs being pivotally movable about a first axis; and

,

the wing brackets being pivotally movable about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

34. The drilling rig according to claim 31, further comprising:

a cantilever pivotally connected to the drill floor, the cantilever movable between a stowed position below the drill floor and a deployed position above the drill floor; and

,

the cantilever being connectable to the articulating end of the raising cylinder when the cantilever is in the deployed position, such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the drill floor into the deployed position.

35. The drilling rig according to claim 34, further comprising:

the cantilever being deployed about a third pivot axis substantially perpendicular to each of the first axis and the second axis.

36. A drilling rig assembly comprising:

a collapsible substructure including;

a base box;

a drill floor; and

a drill floor framework beneath the drill floor;

a pair of raising cylinders pivotally connected at one end to the base box and having an opposite articulating end;

the raising cylinders being selectively extendable relative to the pivotal connection at the base box;

a mast having a lower mast section comprising;

a framework comprising a plurality of cross-members, the framework defining a transportable width of the lower mast section;

a plurality of legs, having an upper end attached to the framework, and an opposite lower end;

a connection on the lower end of at least two legs for pivotally connecting the lower mast section to the drill floor;

a pair of wing brackets pivotally secured to the lower mast section framework; and

,

the wing brackets being pivotal between a stowed position within the width of the lower mast section, and a deployed position extending beyond the width of the lower mast; and

,

a cantilever having a lower end and an upper end, and being pivotally connected to the drill floor framework, the upper end movable between a stowed position below the drill floor and a deployed position above the drill floor;

the articulating end of the raising cylinder connectable to the wing bracket and extendable to rotate the lower mast section from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position above the drill floor; and

,

the articulating end of the raising cylinder connectable to the upper end of the cantilever being connectable to the articulating end of the raising cylinder and extendable to raise the substructure from a collapsed position to an erected position.

37. A method of assembling a drilling rig, comprising:

setting a collapsible substructure onto a drilling site;

moving a lower mast section into proximity with the substructure;

pivotally attaching the lower mast section to a drill floor of the substructure;

pivotally deploying a pair of wings brackets outward from a stowed position within the lower mast section, to a deployed position external of the lower mast section;

connecting an articulating end of a raising cylinder having an opposite pivotally connected end connected to the substructure, to each wing;

extending the raising cylinder so as to rotate the lower mast section from a substantially horizontal position to an erect position above the drill floor;

pivotally deploying a pair of cantilevers upward from a stowed position beneath the drill floor, to a deployed position above the drill floor;

connecting the articulating end of the raising cylinder to each deployed cantilever; and

,

extending the raising cylinder so as to lift the substructure from a stowed, collapsed position to a deployed, erect position.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

the raising cylinder adjusted as a central mast section is attached to the lower mast section; and

,

the raising cylinder adjusted as an upper mast section is attached to the central mast section.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

the first and second lifting arcs intersect at a point that lies within 10 degrees of the vertical axis above the pivotally connected end of the raising cylinder.

40. A drilling rig, comprising:

a collapsible substructure having a drill floor covering its upper surface;

a pair of raising cylinders pivotally connected at one end to the substructure and having an opposite articulating end;

the raising cylinders being selectively extendable relative to the pivotal connection to the substructure;

a mast;

a connection on a lower end of the mast for pivotally connecting the mast above the drill floor;

a pair of wing brackets pivotally secured to the mast;

the wing brackets being pivotal between a stowed position generally within a width of the mast, and a deployed position extending beyond the width of the mast; and

,

the raising cylinders connectable to the wing brackets and extendable to rotate the mast from a generally horizontal position to a raised position above the drill floor.

41. A drilling rig assembly comprising:

a collapsible substructure movable between stowed and deployed positions, the collapsible substructure including;

a base box;

a drill floor; and

a plurality of legs having ends pivotally connected between the base box and the drill floor, the legs supporting the drill floor above the base box in the deployed position;

a raising cylinder having a lower end pivotally connected at one end to the base box and having an opposite articulating end;

the raising cylinder being selectively extendable relative to the pivotal connection at the base box;

a cantilever having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end being pivotally connected to the substructure at a location beneath the drill floor, the upper end movable between a stowed position below the drill floor and a deployed position above the drill floor;

the upper end of the cantilever being connectable to the articulating end of the raising cylinder when the cantilever is in the deployed position; and

whereas extension of the raising cylinder raises the substructure into the deployed position.

42. A drilling rig assembly comprising:

a collapsible substructure movable between stowed and deployed positions, the collapsible substructure comprising;

a base box;

a drill floor framework;

a drill floor above the drill floor framework; and

,

a plurality of substructure legs having ends pivotally connected to the base box and the drill floor, the legs supporting the drill floor above the base box in the deployed position;

a lower mast section of a drilling mast;

a lower section framework having a plurality of cross-members defining a transportable width of the lower section;

a plurality of legs pivotally connected to the lower section framework for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position;

a connection provided on the lower end of at least two legs for pivotally connecting the lower mast section to the drill floor;

a raising cylinder pivotally connected at one end to the base box and having an opposite articulating end;

the raising cylinder selectively extendable relative to the pivotal connection at the base box;

a wing bracket pivotally connected to the lower mast section, being movable between a stowed position and a deployed position; and

,

the wing bracket being connectable to the articulating end of the raising cylinder when the cantilever is in the deployed position, such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the lower mast section into a generally vertical position above the drill floor.